The jury of nine women and three men reached the verdict after about a day and a half of deliberations. The two were found guilty of racketeering and racketeering offenses, including robbery and overtime fraud. They were acquitted of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime. They face 20 years in prison on each count. The acquittal on the firearm count eliminates the possibility of a life sentence. Sentencing dates have not yet been set.

Acting U.S. Attorney Stephen M. Schenning said he hopes the case begins a "long, difficult process" of city police improving supervision and oversight of its officers.

Hersl's brother, who was emotional outside the courthouse, railed against the city after the verdict.

"They can't run a police department, can't run schools, can't even run the zoo," he said.

Four other former gun trace detectives pleaded guilty and will face reduced sentences. They and drug dealers given immunity were among those who testified in the trial. The disgraced law enforcement officers testified that the unit was actually made up of thugs who stole cash, resold looted narcotics, engaged in rampant overtime fraud and lied under oath to cover their tracks.

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The officers and a number of their colleagues worked to shake down Baltimoreans regardless of the victims' involvement in criminal activity. The activity included planting drug evidence, stealing drug evidence and claiming overtime not actually worked.

"They were supposed to be sentinels guarding this city from people who break the law," prosecutors said in closing arguments. "Instead, they became hunters."

Jurors had to decide a complicated set of questions in the case. Did Hersl and Taylor participate in the racketeering conspiracy in which the members of the city police Gun Trace Task Force used their police powers to rob people and steal through overtime fraud? Jurors also had to decide separate robbery and extortion charges, and whether Hersl and Taylor used a gun in commission of a crime.

The only thing heard from the jury as of Monday afternoon were three questions seeking clarification of some of the charges. The questions involved the difference between extortion and robbery. The jurors wanted an example of the kind of robbery charged in the case, and they wanted clarification on the gun charge.

In most cases, the judge refereed jurors to the 50 pages of instruction they were given about the charges.

Officers broke into homes, stole cash, resold narcotics looted during the 2015 riot and lied under oath to avoid detection. Even public defenders, who often question the testimony of police, are shocked by the sordid revelations exposed at the trial, saying there could be a few thousand tainted cases stretching back to 2008. So far, roughly 125 cases involving the eight indicted Baltimore law enforcers have been dropped.

"Our job moving forward is to earn back the trust and respect of the community," he said. "It will be a process and I understand the doubt, fear and pessimism, but I ensure you that rooting out anyone who thinks they can tarnish the badge and violate our citizens' rights is a top priority of mine."

He said the officers have been suspended without pay since they were indicted last March, and police will move to terminate them when the convictions become final. The other officers indicted, all of whom have pleaded guilty, are no longer employees of the department.

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Mayor Catherine Pugh said she shared residents' disgust at the misconduct of all the officers involved. She cited ongoing efforts, including work with the U.S. Department of Justice and consent decree monitors, to root out police corruption and reduce violence.

"I am confident that this sordid chapter of policing culture can be closed as we work each and every day to re-establish the trust and confidence that our citizens need and deserve to have in their police officers," Pugh said. "Toward this end, we will be relentless."

"Police corruption is a hindrance to public safety, degrades trust in the criminal justice system, and puts the lives of hard working and dedicated officers at risk," she said in a statement. "Therefore, we must continue to drive out corruption and shine a light on callous criminals that dishonorably wear a badge.

WBAL-TV 11 lead investigative reporter Jayne Miller and the Associated Press contributed to this report.